logo
Spain fight back to defeat England

Spain fight back to defeat England

Yahoo03-06-2025

Spain came from 1-0 down at half time to defeat England and top Group 3 of the Women's Nations League.
It was the visitors who first took the lead at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona when Alessia Russo was set free before keeping her calm and slotting the ball past Cata Coll to score on her 50th England appearance.
Advertisement
The home side weren't happy though as they felt that Salma Paralluelo had been fouled in the build up.
Spain had chances in the first period with Hannah Hampton needing to be at her best in the post-Mary Earps era.
The current world champions needed a super sub to make the difference with Clàudia Pina coming on in the 58th minute and then equalising in the 60th as she slotted the ball into the corner.
Just 10 minutes later, the turnaround was complete. This time it was a super strike from Pina from outside the area that came off the inside of the post and into the net.
Sarina Wiegman's team couldn't find a way to get back into the game against a dominant side meaning that they finished second in Group 3. Table toppers Spain will instead advance to the final four.
England will be hoping for a better performance when EURO 2025 begins later this month.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jonathan Givony praises Celtics for major draft steal
Jonathan Givony praises Celtics for major draft steal

Yahoo

time24 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Jonathan Givony praises Celtics for major draft steal

The post Jonathan Givony praises Celtics for major draft steal appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the 28th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics took a calculated swing on Spanish wing Hugo Gonzalez, an acquisition ESPN's Jonathan Givony called 'one of the biggest steals of the draft,' via Noa Dalzell. Advertisement Gonzalez, a 19-year-old from Madrid, Spain, played the 2024–25 season with Real Madrid, competing in both the EuroLeague and Liga ACB. In 29 domestic games, he averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 14.2 minutes per game. His shooting splits stood at 44.4% from the field, 27.1% from 3-point range, and 77.3% from the free-throw line. Despite a limited role off the bench, Gonzalez showed flashes of high-level potential, particularly on the defensive end. Known for his NBA-ready 6-foot-6, 205-pound frame and versatile defensive skillset, Gonzalez has drawn comparisons to Christian Braun (Denver Nuggets) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (Miami Heat). His offensive game remains a work in progress, as he shot just 27% from three over the past three years and lacks consistent shot creation, but his strengths lie in his ability to finish at the rim, cut effectively, and thrive in transition. Jonathan Givony praised Gonzalez during ESPN's live broadcast, citing his energy, athleticism, and high motor as standout traits. Givony also reported that the Celtics plan to bring Gonzalez to Boston for the 2025–26 season rather than stashing him overseas. This was only the second first-round pick made under Brad Stevens' tenure as Boston's president of basketball operations. With Gonzalez projected to join the roster immediately, the Celtics are expected to have 14 players under contract next season, though some are on non-guaranteed deals. Advertisement Gonzalez joined Real Madrid's youth team at just nine years old and made his senior debut at 16 in 2022. Despite not having fully broken through, his pedigree and experience at one of Europe's top clubs have made him a valued prospect. Amid a busy offseason that saw Boston trade away Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis to stay under the second tax apron, following Jayson Tatum's season-ending Achilles injury, Hugo Gonzalez represents a low-risk, high-upside addition. The Celtics also hold the 32nd pick early in the second round, giving them another opportunity to bolster their roster. Related: Brad Stevens reveals Celtics' 'foundation' amid Jaylen Brown, Derrick White trade rumors Related: Brad Stevens hits Celtics with harsh reality after major trades

What are main questions facing England before Euros?
What are main questions facing England before Euros?

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

What are main questions facing England before Euros?

Sarina Wiegman said last week she was "still figuring out a couple of things" when it came to choosing her England starting XI for the defence of their European title. But with five days to go until the Lionesses kick-off in Switzerland, the England manager's line-up for their final game before the Uefa European Women's Championship surely gave a strong hint to what she has in mind. Advertisement England waved goodbye to home supporters at King Power Stadium on Sunday with a 7-0 thrashing of Jamaica. They fly to Switzerland on Monday ready for Euro 2025, with their opening group game against France taking place on Saturday at 20:00 BST in Zurich. So which players look to have secured their place in the starting XI? Is there enough experience in the squad? And are England confident of success? Do we know Wiegman's starting XI yet? England's starting XI v Jamaica [BBC Sport] England's win over Jamaica was the last opportunity for players to impress - and Jess Carter and Ella Toone certainly did that, while Lauren James and Georgia Stanway got crucial minutes. Advertisement One of the biggest questions going into the Euros has been the fitness of Chelsea forward James, but she gave Wiegman a boost by playing 27 minutes against Jamaica - her first appearance for club or country since April following a hamstring injury - and providing a clever assist. Bayern Munich midfielder Stanway scored against Jamaica, but perhaps more crucially has now played 90 minutes for the first time this year after knee surgery in January ruled her out for the remainder of the domestic campaign. Carter, one of three US-based players who joined up late with England as they continued their league seasons, is among those fighting for the left-back spot and she was given the nod on Sunday. Last week, she said she "panicked a little bit" when she saw the level of intensity in training and said she would need to "step up" and "give Wiegman a headache". Advertisement And she certainly did that. The Gotham FC defender put in a crucial last-ditch challenge in the first half before later teeing up Lucy Bronze's header to make it 2-0, as she impressed in defence and attack. Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley described it is a "standout" display from Carter, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "She should be very pleased and very proud of her performance today." Wiegman says England have "at least two players in every position" but one of the most competitive areas is in midfield. She tends to play with three in midfield and has trust in the deeper pairing of Stanway and Keira Walsh. This is likely to continue now Stanway has 190 minutes under her belt from England's past three matches. Advertisement The main spot up for grabs is the creative number 10 role which has been occupied by James, Toone, Jess Park and Grace Clinton in the past two years. Manchester United's Toone was given the nod against Jamaica and instantly impressed, scoring within 10 minutes - the goal capping a passing move involving the three midfielders - and doubled her tally before half-time. Toone was one of England's go-to super-subs at Euro 2022 so Wiegman knows she can count on her and Bardsley said "the fact she's adding goals at this time is really exciting for England". Wiegman also has to pick her front three. Whether James is fit enough to start against France is one question. If not, who does Wiegman select? Advertisement Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead have been battling each other for the right-wing position for both Arsenal and England but the latter started against Jamaica, having finished Euro 2022 as the tournament's top scorer and best player, so seems to be slightly ahead in the pecking order. Alessia Russo is certain to start as England's main striker and Aggie Beever-Jones looks to have cemented her position as the favoured back-up option, getting another opportunity - and scoring again - on Sunday, with teenager Michelle Agyemang yet to add to her one and only England appearance. Key injuries & losing experience - how balanced is the squad? England lost three experienced players in the build-up to the tournament. Advertisement Goalkeeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby retired, although only the former would have been going to Switzerland, while defender Millie Bright - who captained England to the 2023 Women's World Cup final - withdrew saying she was not 100% mentally or physically. Bright had formed a key centre-back partnership with Williamson in England's Euro 2022 success and started every game in Australia but there is solid back-up with Manchester City captain Greenwood recovering from injury in time to step in. There is also depth in the squad at the centre-back position with Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier waiting for an opportunity, and Arsenal's Lotte Wubben-Moy has played alongside Williamson a number of times at club level. The three absentees have 218 caps between them - so a question of whether their experience will be missed is valid. Advertisement There are seven players in the squad making their major tournament debut for England - and among them are two uncapped goalkeepers in Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse. Number one Hannah Hampton has just 15 appearances for England. However, there remains a strong core of the World Cup squad with 133-cap Bronze, experienced defender Greenwood and midfield duo Toone and Walsh among the leaders in the group. Russo is an ever-present, having led England's attacking line since Ellen White's retirement in 2022 and she goes to Switzerland in superb form, fresh from winning both the WSL's Golden Boot and the Champions League with Arsenal. Manchester City forward Hemp has also returned from a knee injury and has looked sharp in recent appearances despite not playing a full 90 minutes yet. Advertisement There's a nice blend between exciting young talent and enough experienced players in the squad not to trouble Wiegman. The major concern, however, is what happens if goalkeeper Hampton gets injured or suspended during the tournament? Asked about the other uncapped goalkeepers, Wiegman said on Saturday: "They have played on a very high level for their clubs in front of big crowds. I'm convinced all three of them are ready to go." 'We're really confident in the squad' Lucy Bronze (left) is the most-capped player in the England squad [Getty Images] With the sudden exits of Earps, Bright and Kirby weeks before the start of the Euros, it appeared to be a chaotic build-up and led to some questioning the mood in the camp. Advertisement "Coming from within the camp to now being outside, I can see why people have been talking about this a lot and there is a feeling of unrest," Brighton midfielder Fran Kirby told BBC World Service's Sportsworld. "But everyone respected the decisions those players made and it just moved on. There was a lot more noise on the outside. It's interesting being on the other side. "In the squad, everyone is very confident. Everyone knows what an amazing squad we have. We have a lot of depth. "I'm not concerned about the loss of us three. It always happens in international football. There is a transition period with younger players coming in." Advertisement There has also been uncertainty around the fitness of key quartet James, Greenwood, Hemp and Stanway. With all four featuring against Jamaica, it provided a significant boost and FA chief executive Mark Bullingham was positive about England's chances last week. "In a perfect world, we would rather have had them playing for at least half a season but that is not a reality," said Bullingham. "We're really confident in the squad we've got going to the Euros."

Inside Liverpool pre-season as Mohamed Salah talks expected and Florian Wirtz plan takes shape
Inside Liverpool pre-season as Mohamed Salah talks expected and Florian Wirtz plan takes shape

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Inside Liverpool pre-season as Mohamed Salah talks expected and Florian Wirtz plan takes shape

The Liverpool squad are enjoying their final week off before reporting for pre-season duty at the AXA Training Centre. Arne Slot and his backroom staff will welcome back their players on Monday, July 7 to begin the preparations for next season, as they look to retain the Premier League title they cantered to last time out, winning it with four games to spare and eventually finishing 10 points ahead of Arsenal. Advertisement With no major international tournaments this summer, the Reds will have a virtually full contingent available to them from day one next month. Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton will be granted additional holiday time following their exertions for England's Under-21 squad in their successful European Championship defence in Slovakia. But that Slot and his staff have a full complement to work with for the entirety of the summer schedule will be viewed as a major boost. READ MORE: Harvey Elliott transfer decision imminent as Liverpool ready for offers READ MORE: Three players who could leave Liverpool this week as medical scheduled Advertisement Here, the ECHO takes a closer look at what might await the players at the £50m Kirkby base and who will be out to impress more than most. A new era at Liverpool last summer brought with it a change in direction for pre-season training and the dreaded lactate test under former boss Jurgen Klopp was swapped last time out for a similarly punishing Six-Minute Race Test (6MRT). The endurance exam, as the name indicates, lasts for six minutes around a 400m race track with the exercise designed for those undertaking it to go as fast as possible to cover somewhere between 1.5 and 2km. Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley and Sepp van den Berg all took part in the run last year, which was overseen by fitness coach Dr Conall Murtagh and head of performance Ruben Peeters alongside Slot. Advertisement Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas joined later in the day for their own workout but it was Mohamed Salah who finished top of the pile later that week, impressively proving his endurance and sowing the seeds for a famous campaign that followed. 'It's important to show your mentality," Salah and Wataru Endo were told by Dr Murtagh last year. "Show the lads how it's done as leaders in the group.' It was an instruction Salah listened to as he tore away from the pack to set the pace at the AXA Centre and Slot was keen to personally relay a similar message a few days later, with the Egyptian revealing his head coach pulled him aside to deliver an honest appraisal of what was expected from him for the campaign ahead. 'In pre season, Arne came to see me and asked me to be an example for the other players," Salah told L'Equipe last month. "I told him not to worry because I'm always at my best - not to set an example, but because that's who I am. He told me what he expected of me in the game, with a lot of responsibilities in running, which I liked.' Advertisement Speaking at the beginning of May, Salah told NBC: 'In pre-season I remember he got a few clips of me in the warm-up – it's the warm-up! I was doing like this (keepie-ups) and he was like: 'What is that? Look at that, you have young players behind you and all of them follow'. He is very honest and speaks to you right away. I think that makes a huge, huge difference.' It's not just the running drills that have changed under Slot, however. The goalkeeper department, which is now overseen by Fabian Otte, has undergone something of a makeover this summer with the signings of Giorgi Mamardashvili, Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman and a new way of working that was introduced for the glovesmen of the AXA Training Centre last summer might be set to continue. Last year the club's goalkeepers used special glasses designed to limit their field of vision as they went through some routine training drills as a way of improving reactions and confidence in possession. With the demands on goalkeepers' ball-playing ability becoming increasingly important and prevalent in the modern game, the strategy sees the players put on the eyewear and maintain possession under pressure from coaches and large inflatable mannequins used to represent the opposition. Advertisement Liverpool's commercial agreement with Peloton allows the club to benefit from the use of the bespoke exercise bikes inside the gym and the players will be expected to get on the machines and power through in their sessions before moving outdoors for more running and ball work. The Reds face Preston North End six days into the pre-season schedule at Deepdale before flying out to Hong Kong, where they will meet AC Milan at Kai Tak Sports Park on July 26. From there, the Reds jet to Japan where they are entertained at Nissan Stadium by Yokohama F Marinos on July 30. Back-to-back friendlies with Athletic Club will be held at Anfield on August 4 before the Community Shield is held on Sunday August 10 against FA Cup holders Crystal Palace at Wembley. With there being a free week between the Preston friendly and the flight out to the Far East, Liverpool may still look to arrange a behind-closed doors friendly as Slot looks to fine tune his players for their big kick-off at home to Bournemouth on Friday August 15. Advertisement New signings Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and goalkeeper Mamardashvili will all naturally want to start off on the right foot and the big-spending summer has already ensured it will be an intriguing schedule for supporters searching for signs that the record-breaking window will prove to be success. Most eyes will be on £116m Wirtz, who arrives from Bayer Leverkusen as one of the most coveted players in Europe prior to his move to Anfield. Both Bayern Munich and Manchester City had been keen, while Real Madrid, now coached by Wirtz's former coach Xabi Alonso, failed in a late attempt to launch their own charm offensive. With Trent Alexander-Alexander-Arnold now at Real Madrid, much of the creative onus will fall on Wirtz in an attacking midfield role and a strong showing in pre-season is a must. The same applies to £29m Frimpong, whose versatility and pace on the right side could open new dimensions for Slot's champions. As for Salah, the uber-professional Egyptian will once more be keen to enjoy a full and uninterrupted summer. The decision to shun the Olympic Games with the Pharaohs in favour of being with the Reds on their tour of the United States was an inspired call in 2024. As a result, Salah flew out of the traps for Slot's Liverpool and his 29 goals went a long way towards securing the Premier League title.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store